N.Y. Insurance Department Names New Leaders

New York Insurance Department Superintendent Eric R. Dinallo yesterday announced new leadership positions within the New York State Insurance Department.

In a statement, Mr. Dinallo said of the appointments, "In the first six months of this administration, we have successfully begun to tackle problems previously seen as intractable, including breaking the impasse at Ground Zero, reforming the workers' compensation system, and revamping the New York Liquidation Bureau."

He added that those appointed "have played an important role in this success. Congratulations to them, and I look forward to working with them as they assume their new portfolios."

The following individuals were named:

o Hampton Finer, Ph.D., is now deputy superintendent for rates and competition, responsible for directing rate review activities and managing department policies for maintaining stable and competitive insurance markets. He joined the department in January 2007 as senior policy advisor and chief economist. He previously directed economic analysis activities at the New York Attorney General's Office.

o Steven Nachman has been named deputy superintendent for fraud and consumer services, and will oversee the bureaus handling consumer complaints, licensing and fraud investigations. Mr. Nachman was assistant deputy superintendent and chief compliance officer of the New York Liquidation Bureau since April 2007, and previously was an assistant attorney general in the New York Attorney General's office.

o Louis W. Pietroluongo, who previously served the department as deputy superintendent, first deputy superintendent and, in January 2007, acting superintendent, is now deputy superintendent for disaster preparedness and business continuity planning.

He is responsible for the department's preparedness systems for natural disasters, terrorist incidents and influenza pandemics, and also for emergency communications, evacuations and operations. Additionally, he will be incident commander in times of emergency or disaster. Mr. Pietroluongo currently serves on the Financial and Banking Information Infrastructure Committee, New York State's Homeland Security Committee, New York State Disaster Preparedness Commission, and is the department liaison with the State Emergency Management office and the New York City Office of Emergency Management.

o Christopher F. Rulon is deputy superintendent for operations, responsible for handling the daily operations of the department. He joined the department in June 1998, and most recently served as director of administration and operations.